The Republic of Estonia in 1918-1940: Estonia becomes independent

Few months after Bolshevik lead coup, Estonian national forces understood, that Estonia must be declared independent as soon as possible. An opportune moment came in February 1918, after Germany had launched an assault on the Eastern Front. Taking advantage of a gap between two rules, Estonia was declared a free independent state on February 24, 1918, and the Provisional Government was appointed. Germans, who arrived in Tallinn on the following day, did not acknowledge Estonia's independence and a German occupation, lasting for several months, began in Estonia.